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Welcome to CycloneFanatic.com. I notice you haven't taken the time to register yet, now is as good of time as any:)

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

One of the problems with small hybrids, is that they are heavy for their power. So, therefore, if you don't use the hybrid "feature" by doing a lot of stop and go driving, you rapidly lose the advantage of the hybrid.

I would drive an Echo, before I'd chunk down the serious change required for the Prius. But the telemetry of the Prius is pretty fun to play with.

I have a friend with a Prius, and a bad side effect of them, is that they are rough on pets. In other words, the quietness of the car, in starting out, allows pets to wander into their path unknowingly.

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

Also this test had a lot of highway driving. The Prius does best when you keep it in the city below 40mph. The car that has really surprised me is the new Mercedes Smart car. It only gets 33/41. They should have used the diesel.

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

I just don't "get" why diesel is so much higher in the US. In Europe, it's significantly cheaper.

It's easier and safer to produce, and there should be some "economy of scale" because it is used by trucks and ag equipment. I'm interested in why there is such a significant difference in price.

Because most of the EU gives tax brakes on diesel. Keep in mind that taxes on fuel in the EU is up to 70% of the cost where here in the U.S. it's never above 20% (I think). Both are a lot more expensive per gallon over there than here.

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

Originally Posted by dmclone

Also this test had a lot of highway driving. The Prius does best when you keep it in the city below 40mph. The car that has really surprised me is the new Mercedes Smart car. It only gets 33/41. They should have used the diesel.

To find out, they drove BMW's midsize 5 Series sedan and the Prius London-to-Geneva, adding 100 miles to the route "to give the Prius the advantage of running in urban conditions where its petrol-electric drivetrain comes into its own."

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

Iowa State: Anyone who's a true college basketball fan needs to see a game at Hilton Coliseum. Nice is in the DNA of Iowans and the fans here are particularly gracious -- even when the home team loses but gives a great effort, they are appreciative.

ESPN.com picked Hilton Coliseum as the "Hot Arena" in the Big 12...coaches in the league noted that, "regardless of talent, the Cyclones have a home court like no other."

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

Originally Posted by 1100011CS

To find out, they drove BMW's midsize 5 Series sedan and the Prius London-to-Geneva, adding 100 miles to the route "to give the Prius the advantage of running in urban conditions where its petrol-electric drivetrain comes into its own."

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

I just don't "get" why diesel is so much higher in the US. In Europe, it's significantly cheaper.

It's easier and safer to produce, and there should be some "economy of scale" because it is used by trucks and ag equipment. I'm interested in why there is such a significant difference in price.

A friend who knows a little about the industry said it is largely due to refining capacity and regulation. The US is pinched on capacity already, especially with the fed and state government specifications on gasoline and diesel. The extra summer blends that are required by states further restrict throughput. There are something like five different forms of retail diesel in California, for example, and even more gasoline formulations. Diesel used to be consistently cheaper until about two years ago due to some of the reasons above.

I have to admit, I am far from an expert on this, but it does seem ridiculous how disparate the regulations are from state to state.

Re: Toyota Prius Get's beat by BMW 5 series in MPG

i just wish som1 wouls grow a pair and go up to the oil companies and tell them off and get the damn prices back to what they should be...

lil fun fact

last year oil companies had the biggest profit ever

Iowa State: Anyone who's a true college basketball fan needs to see a game at Hilton Coliseum. Nice is in the DNA of Iowans and the fans here are particularly gracious -- even when the home team loses but gives a great effort, they are appreciative.

ESPN.com picked Hilton Coliseum as the "Hot Arena" in the Big 12...coaches in the league noted that, "regardless of talent, the Cyclones have a home court like no other."

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